Hinge mechanism for panels

Abstract

A hinge assembly for counter-balancing a panel e.g. a hatch cover of a boat when the latter is rotated about a horizontal axis has levers pivotally attached to the panel, to the deck and to each other, with a torsion spring arranged coaxially on the pivot between the two levers. Also at that pivot axis a friction brake is provided.

I claim: 
     
       1. A hinge mechanism for rotation of a panel about a pivot axis at an edge portion around an aperture, the axis having at least a horizontal component, the mechanism having: a) a hinge with a first arm for securing rigidly to the edge portion, and with a second arm for pivotal attachment to the first arm at the pivot axis, the second arm being for securing rigidly to the panel to be rotatable with the panel about the pivot axis for opening or closing the aperture, and   b) a balancing arrangement including a first lever for pivotal attachment to the panel and a second level for pivotal attachment to the edge portion, the levers being pivotally joined at a second axis so that the levers form a pivotal linkage responding to relative pivotal movement of the edge portion and panel to positions of the panel wherein the aperture is respectively closed and open, the balancing arrangement further including helical spring means for variably counter-balancing the moment of the panel about the pivot axis, said helical spring means being arranged coaxially with the second axis to act on the levers such that potential energy in said spring means is at a minimum in a position of the linkage intermediate the closed and open positions of the panel, wherein said second lever comprises two arm elements, each said arm element having a hub portion and said first lever having a hub portion, said hub portions are arranged on said second axis to entrap the hub portion of the first lever between those of the first lever elements, at least one helical spring comprising said spring means being entrapped between a said arm element and said first lever about said axis, and   c) a brake for acting between said panel and said edge to tend to maintain said panel and said edge in a given relative condition.   
     
     
       2. A hinge mechanism according to claim 1 wherein a friction disc is positioned between said hub portions for frictional interaction therebetween.